Department of Pharmacy Practice, KMCH College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore-48, India
Abstract:
Under reporting of ADRs is a cause of concern. A study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of Health Care Professionals (HCP) about ADR reporting and extent of their involvement in pharmacovigilance activities. A questionnaire containing 19 questions was distributed to 30 faculties, 20 Physicians, 30 Nurses and 30 Students. Only 20 Faculty, 8 Physicians, 20 Nurses and 22 Students completed and returned the questionnaire, giving the response rate of 66.66%, 40%, 66.66% and 73.33% respectively. Out of these as per the WHO definitions, only 8 (40%) Faculty, 6 (27.27 %) Students, 3 (37.5%) Prescribers and 1 (5%) Nurses could correctly define an ADR. Spontaneous reporting system was well known to 7 (31.81%) Students, 7 (87.52%) prescribers, 14 (70%) Faculty and 11 (55%) Nurses. Majority of the participants said that ADR should be reported if it causes both inconvenience and death to the patients. Majority of reasons for underreporting of ADR were lack of knowledge about the reporting center in 16 (72.72%) Students, 6 (75%) Prescribers, 12 (60%) Faculty and 18 (90%) Nurses. Uncertain of the drug causing ADR in 17 (77.27%) Students, 4 (50%) Prescribers, 17 (85%) Faculty and 16 (80%) Nurses. Despite of good observation and knowledge of ADR among HCP the rate of reporting to ADR centers is very low.